When the largest church in Boulder County, Colorado wanted to expand its campus, officials denied the request for a permit, citing local land use regulations. A jury, however, agreed with the church that the county failed to meet the high standards set by the federal Religious Land Use (RLUIPA) laws that place limits on government's ability to burden religion. Now, a panel of the 10th Circuit Appeals Court has ruled against the county's appeal, saying the jury had enough evidence to reach that conclusion. The judges also declined to rule on the consitutionality of RLUIPA.
The Denver Post has more. You can read the decision (pdf) here.
